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From Radio Insight: KHKS (Kiss 106.1) Dallashas been a bellwether for Top 40 radio. Driven by the Kidd Kraddick morning show, Kiss was the first success story in CHR?s mid-?90s comeback. It was one of the first stations to recover from an early-?00s doldrums, a few years ahead of Top 40?s PPM explosion. In 2013, it survived Kraddick?s death and remained a market powerhouse as the show continued with its remaining members.* Under PD Patrick Davis, SVP of programming for iHR Dallas, Kiss was also a station that could be counted on at least one or two times a year to go off the menu for songs not being promoted to CHR radio, a rarity in most formats now. Davis was part of sweeping cutbacks at iHeartMedia this week, along with numerous veteran PDs, managers, and air talent. We talked to him about his tenure at a legendary radio station.* Sean Ross: You’d been a program director before, but you came to the station first as PD of the Kidd Kraddick Morning Show in 2002, before becoming PD in 2004. What was that like? Patrick Davis: It was the perfect route for me, because I was blessed to learn from Kidd and Brian Bridgman and Todd Shannon. Kidd allowed me to truly be involved with the show to provide insight but learn what not only Kidd but Al Mack and Kellie Rasberry go through mentally to prepare. Brian and Todd didn?t have to but included me in meetings and made me feel comfortable, which is always a great learning environment. One final note on that is that I made it clear from day 1 that I was PD of the entire station and that every daypart, break, and personality mattered. Ross: How was Kiss doing when you became PD? It was one of the first success stories in CHR?s rebound in 1994-95, but how was it doing a year later? Davis: Honestly, it wasn?t great or I wouldn?t have gotten the opportunity. The first trend ? remember those ? that came out right as I took the job, Kiss was 12th, and there were some questions about the format?s viability. In fairness, it was a tough time for CHR because the available product was not very pop-friendly. Kiss was experiencing its first slump. I don?t keep many memorabilia, but when the station went from worst to first again, Kidd gave me a plaque . Ross: What are some of the things that made the difference between the No. 12 station and the No. 1 radio station? Davis: I was blessed to have Kidd Kraddick in the morning, who believed in me and I in them. I was looking for talent and drive to be the best, and found it in JJ Kincaid, Billy the Kidd, Jeff Miles, Fernando, Jackson Blue, Atom Smasher, Gina Lee Fuentes, Candice Lopez, Toby Knapp, Raven, and Priscilla, who is a success story all by herself. They wanted to not just be good but accomplish something truly unique. All I had to do was lead them. I pushed them hard, and they all responded better than I could have hoped for. And it continues now with Celina Martinez and Colt. Ross: Tell me about shepherding the morning team through the loss of Kidd Kraddick. I’ve seen a few times how a death is the most devastating thing can happen to a station. Davis: That was personally devastating, because that show and Kidd in particular changed the course of my life. Everyone needs a break at some point to get a chance to show what they can do, and gave me that. The first issue was fighting off temptation by some to . That was a bad brand message in my opinion: Kidd passed away and we fired his talented friends. I actually remember someone screaming at me, ?We?re not paying for sidekicks!? And I yelled back, ?Then you haven?t heard the show!!!? Cooler heads prevailed, and KKMS has been our anchor since.* Then there was the messaging: We treated it like a death in the family. Billy the Kidd, Cruz, and Toby did a terrific job of being vulnerable and real. There were no formatics at that moment. It was about raw emotion. Play callers. Share. No production. Kellie?s break the following Monday may have been the most-listened-to moment in DFW radio history. It was filled with emotion, honesty and vulnerability.* Finally, we adhered to ?reduce the invitation for change.? We changed nothing on the station, so that it didn?t give people a chance to reevaluate their choice. Dennis Clark came in to help with the show, and he is not only a great coach but has the perfect personality for this situation. George Laughlin at Yea Networks was the steady hand in their building holding things together. After that the show evolved into what that cast does best. Be real. I remember asking my wife why I was the one having to plan a weeklong tribute when I was hurting so much. She said, ?Because you care for him like no one.? That week: I have never been prouder of what a staff did than those people. It?s clich? now and done for other reasons, but we had a girl, Laura, who was dying of cystic fibrosis, and her wish was to call attention to the disease so that her little brother wouldn?t have to face the pain she did. We changed the name of the station to Laura FM for a day and solicited donations and gave information on how to help.* New jingles were cut. All-new sweepers were made. Commercials were recut. Jock execution was perfect. Cousin Deke and Priscilla combed through the log and made sure it was all uniform. I felt like we made a difference. Later, right before Laura passed away, our staff went to see her in the hospital. It wasn?t a show ? they cared. that, I was proud of every moment I was the PD of Kiss-FM. Ross:* How hard is it to still do those things in today?s radio? We read a lot about the changing role of the PD. To what extent should the role of the PD be different, and what should be protected? How hard is it to still focus on the product? Davis: There are fewer resources, to be sure, but to me radio is about emotion and evoking feelings in others. You don?t have to do those things, but I don?t know that you can truly be great if you?re not making a difference. As for role of the PD, it can become solely a manager unless you keep priorities in mind. Listeners want to love you ? give them a reason. Talent want a leader ? give them a reason to believe you?re in a real genuine way. And corporate wants to know you have a plan ? share with them. Ross: How are you feeling about the state of Top 40 radio now? Davis: Our target age when I started was a 24-year-old female. I would worry when ratings came back and it had inched up to 26. We would target 18-24 even the upper end comes to you to feel young. Now the average age of a CHR listener is 40-plus. The way out is original content. Under-30 can get music in a lot of places. They will give you repeat occasions vertically and horizontally for unique compelling content. Variety in texture, tempo and genre make the format exciting. Rock, pop, dance, hip-hop, country ? we?ve played them all. Our goal is always to fill the largest available hole. That said, we are still searching for a regular rhythm of new hits, and when we do get them it feels at times like a different slice of the same pie. But it?s improving * Oh, and I love Chappell Roan and Sabrina Carpenter. Ross: How are you feeling about the relationship with the labels now? From here, it sometimes looks like labels and radio are out of business. Davis: This one makes me LOL, because I wasn?t always the best at label relations early in my career.* I can only speak from what I see at iHeart. Labels and companies still work very closely together, just in a different way. Mark Adams, Dylan Sprague, Tom Poleman and Allisa Pollack do a tremendous job of working with labels to expose new music that?s right for our brands. The days of cattle call visits are over, but the cooperation isn?t. Ross: What are your thoughts on what you’d like to do next and where? Davis: For the first time in forever, I?m not sure what?s next and that?s OK with me. I feel I have a lot to offer when I find a match, and that comes with no regrets, no hard feelings and a lot that I?m proud of.* * I was still programming KISS day to day and providing oversight for Mix, Star, Eagle, Lonestar and our AM, KFXR. Davis can be reached here. A list of all those affected by the iHeart layoffs can be found here. Radioinsight is committed to helping those caught up in industry consolidation with its recently launched job board. more

From Radio Online: In a special broadcast for Country music enthusiasts, Nashville's very own Kelly Sutton is hosting "Y'all Access," a three-hour radio special dedicated to the upcoming 2024 CMA Awards. Slated to give fans an exclusive glimpse behind Country Music's Biggest Night, the show features an engaging mix of More...

From Radio Online: In the latest monthly rankings for October 2024, released by Podtrac, the podcast industry continues to show robust growth, with increases in unique monthly audience (UMA) figures and downloads across the board for the majority of U.S. publishers. Podtrac reported that nearly all U.S. ranking participants More...

From Radio Online: iHeartMedia has announced key leadership promotions in Los Angeles. Jeff Thomas (pictured), a 26-year company veteran, is elevated to EVP of Sales and Business Development for the market, continuing to lead sales in addition to now overseeing iHeartMedia Los Angeles' Local News Talk Endorsement Network and More...

From Radio Online: HeartMedia appoints Steve DeLusant (far left) as Region President for the New York market and Adam Kurtz for the Chicago market, effective immediately. DeLusant and Kurtz will report to Division President Bernie Weiss. In these newly appointed positions, both will work closely with More...

From Radio Insight: Torres Media Group relaunched AC “Lite 98.5” CJWL-FM Ottawa ON as Hot AC “Mix 98.5” earlier this week. The new brand follows Torres’ acquisition of the station from Evanov in September following Evanov’s announced plan to shut it down along with two others. It is positioning as “Ottawa’s Perfect Music Mix” and currently running jockless. New CITM-FM call letters are pending. more

From Radio Insight: Steve DeLusantiHeartMedia has announced the appointments of Steve DeLusant as the new Region President for New York and Adam Kurtz as Region President for Chicago. Both will report to Division President Bernie Weiss, who led the the New York market until his promotion in December 2023. DeLusant has been with iHeartMedia New York since 2013 serving as Sales Manager for WHTZ, WKTU and WWPR, rose to Vice President of Sales in 2016 and VP/Director of FM Sales in 2018. He also previously served as an Account Manager for Emmis New York. Adam KurtzKurtz takes the Chicago reins that had been held by Matt Scarano until his exit in this week’s layoffs. Kurtz has been with the company since 2001 rising through the ranks from account executive to Local Sales Manager, General Sales Manager, VP/Sales and since January 2018 as SVP/Sales. Weiss comments, “I?m thrilled to promote both Steve and Adam. It?s especially rewarding to find the best candidates for key leadership roles in your own buildings. They?re extremely knowledgeable about our ever-evolving business and have built some of the best media sales teams in the country. I?m confident that they will continue to elevate our New York and Chicago operations to even greater heights and continue to drive revenue.? more

From Radio Insight: Myers Mermel and Carolin McLain’s WDEV LLC have filed their acquisition of Radio Vermont Group from the estate of Ken Squire. Originally announced in January to be purchased by Mermel and Scott Milne’s Mermel & McLain Management LLC, the restructured deal will see WDEV LLC and related companies WCVT Acquisition LLC and WLVB Acquisition LLC pay $282,500 for Variety 550 WDEV/96.1 WDEV-FM Warren/96.5 W243AT Barre/98.3 W252CU Montpelier, Country ?93.9 Vermont Country? WLVB Morrisville, and Classic Hits 101.7 WCVT Stowe/102.5 W273AM Montpelier. Scott Zimmermann’s Sidestream Media purchases Country/Rock 102.3 KZRN Hettinger ND from Jeff Hallen’s Hirange Media Corp. for $40,000. Pampa TX’s Bible Baptist Church buys the CP for 88.9 Dalhart TX from Christian Ministries of the Valley for $1. The buyer owns the just launched in October Christian 88.5 KWGP Pampa. Translator SalesNews Talk STL Radio converts its lease of Educational Media Foundation’s 101.9 K270BW Bellefontaine/St. Louis MO into a $570,000 acquisition. The buyer operates Conservative Talk “News Talk STL” fed via 99.1 KLJY-HD3 Clayton and is also heard on their 94.1 KNBS Bowling Green MO. Bible Broadcasting Network sells Silent 91.3 K217CP to Bott’s Community Broadcasting Inc. for $10,000. The translator will rebroadcast the buyer’s 90.7 KTAA Big Sandy. more

From Radio Online: iHeartMedia is continuing with its substantial wave of layoffs affecting key personnel across multiple stations nationwide. Among those impacted are notable radio hosts and directors with ties to Minnesota and Oregon, demonstrating the reach of these cuts. Kia Bratz (aka Becht), who served as Music Director More...

From Radio Online: Entravision Communications reported third quarter results for 2024, showcasing a 25% increase in net revenue and a significant realignment of its operating segments. For the quarter, the media and advertising technology company reported net revenues of $97.2 million, up from $77.4 million in the More...

From Radio Online: The new radio show "Classic Rock U," hosted by YouTube celebrity Adam Reader (pictured), also known as the Professor of Rock, has launched to significant acclaim and is quickly expanding its reach across the U.S. Since its debut on October 5, the program, produced out of Hubbard Radio Chicago, has been More...

From Radio Insight: Nielsen continues its releases of the October 2024 diary surveys today. Today’s markets include monthly ratings for Albany/Schenectady/Troy and Syracuse. The next three releases will feature: On Friday, November 8: Monthly ratings for Dayton, Fort Myers, Grand Rapids, Metro Fairfield County, Tucson, and Tulsa. On Tuesday, November 12: Monthly ratings for Albuquerque, Allentown/Bethlehem, El Paso, Fresno, Honolulu, Knoxville, and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. On Wednesday, November 13: Monthly ratings for Akron, Bakersfield, Charleston SC, Harrisburg/Lebanon/Carlisle, and Omaha/Council Bluffs. more

From Radio Online: Auddia Inc., a technology firm specializing in audio solutions, reported a net loss of $1.95 million for the third quarter ended September 30. This marks a slight reduction in losses compared to $2.12 million for the same period last year. While the company's revenue remains More...

Mountain Radio Group has dropped the Red Dirt focused Country format on KQSC/K297BQ (AM 1530/FM 107.3) in favor of simulcasting KDZA/K270CM (AM 1230/FM 101.9) and their Classic Hits format. KDZA also added the old recordings of Wolfman Jack and will be heard on Saturday Nights.

From Radio Online: Dave Russell, a longtime figure in radio, has departed from his roles as Program Director and afternoon host at Cumulus AC WARM-FM in York, Pennsylvania. His exit comes after a nine-year tenure, prompted by recent budget reductions at the station. Russell's radio career spans several decades and includes More...

From Radio Insight: Skyview Networks has announced the first batch of affiliates for its newly launched weekly “Classic Rock U” hosted by Adam Reader and based at Hubbard Radio Classic Rock ?97.1 The Drive? WDRV Chicago/96.9 WWDV Zion IL. The show launched on October 5 on WDRV/WWDV as well as Hubbard’s 94.7 KSHE St. Louis and 100.7 KSLX Phoenix. Since then, the show has been added at Cox Media Group’s “97.1 The River” WSRV Atlanta, Bonneville’s “98.5 K-Fox” KUFX San Jose, American General Media’s “Coyote 102.5” KIOT Albuquerque, Signal Media’s “94.1 The Point” KKPT Little Rock, Cumulus Media’s 94.9 KGGO Des Moines, Mid-West Family Broadcasting’s “Z94.3” WZOC South Bend IN, and Sanpete County Broadcasting “95.7 The Boss” KUTC Gunnison UT. Reader commented, “From growing up being raised on radio to connecting with millions of people on YouTube, and now connecting with just as many on radio stations all over the country, it really feels like I?ve come full circle. Interviewing hundreds of my favorite artists and bringing their music to these mass audiences is a dream come true. I am thrilled to be able to bring Classic Rock U to such an excellent and growing list of stations.? Skyview SVP/Business Development and Communication Andrew Kalb said, “We are very proud of Classic Rock U and the tremendous work that has gone into making its first month a success. Adam Reader is an incredible talent, and his unparalleled knowledge and passion of Classic Rock makes the show a standout across the industry. We are thrilled to see that several key markets have recognized this unique talent and look forward to continuing to grow the show?s network.? more

From Radio Online: Cox Media Group's Hot AC KSMG (Hits 105.3) in San Antonio has announced the departure of morning hosts Jenny Lee and Tony Cortez. Lee, who had taken on roles as Assistant Program Director and Music Director, joined KSMG in 2013. Initially working in the afternoon slot, she quickly transitioned to the morning More...

From Radio Insight: After stunting with Halloween music as ?The Haunt? since October 26, Milwaukee Radio Alliance launched Country “Froggy 100.3/107.3” at noon today. Airing on 100.3 W262CJ Milwaukee, 107.3 W297BY Franklin, and 93.3 WLDB-HD3 Mlwaukee, the move creates competitor to iHeartMedia?s ?FM 106.1? WMIL and Magnum Media?s pair of suburban signals ?92.5 Buzz Country? WMBZ West Bend and ?92.1 VTY Country? WVTY Racine. Before stunting, the two translators rebroadcast Oldies “The Fonz” 1290 WZTI. The first hour of Froggy consisted of: Chris Young – Young Love & Saturday Nights Cole Swindell – Forever To Me Dasha – Austin (Boots Stop Workin’) Tyler Childers – In Your Love Darius Rucker – Wagon Wheel Drew Baldridge – She’s Somebody’s Daughter (reimagined) Dustin Lynch ft. MacKenzie Porter – Thinking ‘Bout You Dylan Marlowe & Dylan Scott – Boys Back Home Cody Johnson – The Painter Eli Young Band – Drunk Last Night George Birge – Cowboy Songs Eric Church – Cold One Corey Kent – Wild As Her Bailey Zimmerman – Holy Smokes Dustin Lynch ft. Jelly Roll – Chevrolet Chris Stapleton – You Should Probably Leave Parmalee – Gonna Love You Dustin Lynch – Stars Like Confetti more

From Radio Insight: The ongoing Cumulus Media layoffs have reached their Central Pennsylvania stations in Harrisburg, Lancaster and York PA. Dave Russell exits as Program Director/afternoon host of AC 103.3 WARM-FM York after nine years. Russell is in his third stint in that building as he began his career with an eleven year run at 910 WSBA from 1988 to 1999 where he would rise to APD and Promotions Director. After programming WEZQ Bangor ME and then WCTO and WLEV Allentown PA, he would join WARM-FM as PD in 2007 while also spending time as afternoon host and morning co-host. Following a budget cut in 2009, he would then spend the next two years as a fill-in host across Cumulus’ clusters in Pennsylvania until joining Forever Media to program Oldies “The Pickle” WPKL/WKPL in suburban Pittsburgh from 2011 until joining WARM-FM in 2015. WARM also has dropped John Tesh’s syndicated show at night. AJ Cobain departs afternoons at Country “I105” WIOV-FM Ephrata/Lancaster. Cobain joined the station in 2018 after spending a decade at iHeartMedia where he served as Traffic/Sales Assistant, Public Service Coordinator, and hosted nights at Variety Hits “Y102” WRFY Reading. Cobain wrote, “I was informed this morning that my position in Afternoons at I105 has been eliminated. After 6 years, that’s a wrap. I’ve been lucky to talk on the mic for the past 16 years, and doing what I love, but hey, it happens! It was an honor working with everyone in the York and Harrisburg buildings throughout this time. Huge thanks to everyone who believed in me. And a huge thanks to everyone who listened to me every afternoon, and for making me a part of your day. Not sure what’s next after this, but I’m gonna process this and figure all that out.” Venetia Stephenson is out as APD/MD/afternoon host at Rhythmic CHR “Hot 106.7” WWKL Hershey after two decades. She previously spent time as APD/MD of “Hot 101” WHOT-FM Youngstown OH after starting her career as Promotions Director at Sunbury Broadcasting in Sunbury PA. She has also served as the national midday host for Westwood One’s Hot AC network. Gary Sutton departs mornings at News/Talk 910/93.9 WSBA York. Sutton had been with WSBA since 1991 and a full-time host at the station since 1997 starting as co-host of its Sports show. He is also a longtime high school basketball coach in York where he was inducted into the local Sports Hall of Fame in 2003. more

From Radio Insight: Following the layoff of ‘Mean Jean’ Fremont from mornings at Beasley Media Classic Hip Hop “105.1 The Bounce” WMGC-FM Detroit last week, his co-host Shannon Renee is following him out the door on her own accord. Renee shared on Instagram that she “made the very difficult decision this week to step away from my on-air role at The Bounce.” She followed that it “would put me in the position to have to navigate what would technically be a 5th morning show for me on the station & that in & of itself is just a lot. Never in a million years did I have winning a contest nearly 4 years ago to be on-air on my bingo card, but I am so incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have had that platform to spread awareness for breast cancer, my amazing interactions with our awesome listeners & for all of the fun memories along the way. I look forward to continuing my business and am also open to other opportunities as well. I?ve done lots of things over the years in different job sectors.” Renee joined WMGC-FM in May 2021 as the winner of the “Bounce Big Break”. Prior to joining the station she served as Entertainment Manager at Motor City Casino, but had previous radio industry experience as Promotions Director for ABC Radio/Citadel?s 93.1 WDRQ and 96.3 WDVD from 2006 to 2010 and Clear Channel Detroit from 2011 to 2013. Beasley Media has not yet announced plans for mornings. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shannon Renee (@shannonreneeonair) more

From Radio Insight: For a while, radio programmers weren?t supposed to care much about what happened on their radio station at the top of the hour, or attach any particular importance to it. Listeners, after all, could come aboard at any point during the hour; they weren?t all getting in their cars at 6:59 a.m. or 4:59 p.m. Even using the words ?top of the hour? was an anachronism.* Then came the studio sponsorships. Then the group owners? own tags ? particularly the iHeart or Audacy app plugs. Then :00 became the focal point of national contesting (even those stations that give a keyword elsewhere during the hour often tease to it at :00). The top of the hour, by necessity, became a station?s policy statement again.* We haven?t yet attached the same importance to what we play at the top of the hour; that one is still part of the old didacticism for many PDs. Sometimes the song that follows the :00 ID keeps the energy going. Sometimes it?s ?Creepin?? or ?Saturn.? Now that it?s OK to talk about what happens at :00 again, I?d like to talk about what happens next at :03. Specifically, whether the on-air personality does a break, or waits for the third song or even longer. I sometimes hear first breaks of the hour that don?t come until nearly 20 minutes in. By that time, I?m not sure if I?ve tuned into a hosted hour or not. And I?m listening to radio for relatively long stretches. For a listener who has come to the station for a code word at :00, the now-typical nine-minute listening occasion may not include a host. For some stations, the response to the bombast of :00 is for the next song to be preceded by a calls-only sweeper or something low-key. I like hearing the personality as soon as possible because it keeps up the momentum. Not hearing a jock for another 10 minutes feels to me like the station is untended. While no non-industry listener is likely to articulate it this way, it still feels like inviting a crowd into a store with no salespeople on the floor.* Recently, I went back and looked at the notes from my radio listening in recent weeks and noticed a pattern. A station that led earlier with personalities was often a station doing more of the other things I liked: making me smile, advocating for the music, giving me some sense of the market. The station that brought the host on at :20 was more likely to sound more canned, less connected to the music. It was the station where I was more likely to hear about yesterday?s celebrity news, randomly inserted between songs. Sometimes, bringing the host on at :03 means there will be more content throughout the hour. WHYA (Y101) Cape Cod, Mass., middayer Billy Teed, featured in a recent Ross on Radio listening roundup, did talk over every other song. More often, it might portend that a station will have 5-6 jock breaks that hour, rather than just four. Either way, the personality feels like more of a presence. I often listen to stations at 10 a.m., as soon as I can hear the regular day?s pacing instead of mornings. The first jock content I hear might be the ?handshake break.? Teed thanked the audience for the opportunity to ?work together.?* Sometimes it?s still a billboard for three upcoming songs. That can sound rote, but WOBM Monmouth/Ocean, N.J.?sChelsea Corrine made me smile when she teased a (non-Christmas) Mariah Carey song and added, ?It?s almost Mariah?s time!? Sometimes the :03 break is to repeat the hourly keyword, although there are just as many stations where I hear nothing until the next keyword. Just as often, I hear about anything in the first break of the hour: something about the artist playing, a setup for an upcoming longer topical bit, a teaser for a local contest ? the one you?re more likely to hear about during the course of the hour. It would be a return to an old didacticism to prescribe content more precisely. If you have six breaks an hour, I have an idea about what to talk about. But I?m not hung up on the order. Over the last two years, broadcasters have come to understand personality as their point of differentiation. It has been gratifying, even in recent weeks, to encounter a little more personality that does not sound like generic, randomly inserted content. (At the same time, coming across a major-market station that does sound generic, or is jockless at random hours, rankles even more now.)* How a station places its jock breaks only seems arcane; it?s a matter of making our calling card work better for us.* more

From Radio Online: Benztown has released two fresh episodes of its podcast, "Chachi Loves Everybody," hosted by Dave "Chachi" Denes, the company's president. The new episodes spotlight conversations with notable media figures Al Roker and Patsy Smullin, both of whom are set to be honored at the upcoming Giants of Broadcasting More...

From Radio Online: Heather Jennings joins Marc Radio's WPLL (I Am Country 106.9 FM) in Gainesville-Ocala, FL for mornings, weekdays from 6-10am. Gainesville is no stranger to Heather. She's spent more than 20 years in the area and is a multi-year broadcast veteran. "Country music is hands-down the soundtrack of my life, and More...

From Radio Online: iHeartMedia reported robust growth for the third quarter with a 5.8% rise in consolidated revenue to $1,008 million, aligned with its mid-single-digit growth forecast. Digital Audio Group stood out with a 13% increase in revenue, reaching $301 million. This surge was spearheaded by an 11% rise in podcast More...

From Radio Online: Saga Communications disclosed a decrease in its financial performance for the third quarter ended September 30. The company reported a 3.5% reduction in net revenue, down to $28.1 million from $29.1 million in the same period last year. This decline was accompanied by a 21.2% drop in More...

From Radio Online: Townsquare Media reported slight increase in its third quarter net revenue for 2024, with figures slightly up by 0.2% compared to the same period last year. Net revenue rose marginally to $115.3 million, despite a challenging market environment. Net income saw a notable improvement, rising by $47.8 million More...

From Radio Insight: Cumulus Media CHR “98.3 The Vibe” KWQW Boone/Des Moines IA has revamped its on-air lineup. After running jockless in middays and afternoons since its May 2021 flip to CHR, the station is adding a pair of personalities. Country 95.5 WFMS Indianapolis APD/midday host Taylor J will track 9am to 2pm from 10-3pm. Prior to joining WFMS in April 2023, Taylor J spent five years at iHeartMedia’s “107.5 Kiss-FM” KKDM Des Moines as APD/midday host and then Program Director. Jake ‘DJ Sweezy’ Swesey will add afternoon hosting duties from 2-6pm in addition to his role as APD of KWQW and Sports “The Champ” 1700 KBGG/101.3 K267CY. Swesey had also been serving as a Programming Assistant and night host on Westwood One’s now-discontinued Classic Hip Hop network. Westwood One’s Elliot remains in nights, while the station has dropped The Bert Show from mornings. more

From Radio Insight: iHeartMedia announced this morning that it has entered into agreements with the lenders and holders of approximately 80% of the aggregate principal amount of its existing debt including 77% of the aggregate principal amount of its outstanding senior secured notes due 2026, 79% of the aggregate principal amount of its outstanding senior secured notes due 2027, 38% of the aggregate principal amount of its outstanding senior secured notes due 2028, 71% of the aggregate principal amount of its outstanding senior unsecured notes due 2027, and 92% of the aggregate principal amount of its outstanding term loans. The deals will extend the maturity of the company’s existing debt by three years through one of two transactions. The first will bee structured that if certain thresholds of holder participation are met, iHeart will issue new secured debt in exchange for the existing debt held by participating holders. The second says if certain thresholds of holder participation are not met, newly-formed subsidiaries of the company holding certain transferred assets and an intercompany note (to be issued by iHeartMedia + Entertainment, Inc.) will issue new secured debt in exchange for the existing debt held by participating holders. President/COO/CFO Rich Bressler said in the company’s earnings report, “We?re happy to announce that we have entered into a Transaction Support Agreement with a group of debt holders representing, on an aggregate basis, approximately 80% of the Company?s outstanding debt to support an exchange of approximately $4.1 billion of debt for new notes and term loans. The exchange offers will extend maturities by three years; keep consolidated annual cash interest essentially flat; and provide debt reduction ? all of which will strengthen the Company?s financial flexibility, and provide us with the runway to accelerate our strategic growth initiatives. This marks a significant step in iHeart?s strategy of disciplined balance sheet and capital structure management.? iHeart also confirmed the company’s ongoing restructuring and staff cuts as part of a “cost program” expected to generate $150 million of annual cost savings in 2025. Cost reductions from earlier this year will generate another $50 million in savings in 2025, but ffset by $50 million of cost increases for 2025. Chairman/CEO Bob Pittman said, “We?re pleased to report that our third quarter results were in line with our previously provided Adjusted EBITDA and Revenue guidance ranges. We continue to see evidence that this is a recovery year for advertising revenues, and the strong momentum in our podcast business, our digital ex-podcast business, and the sequential improvement of our Multiplatform Group?s year over year revenue performance reflect the power of our unparalleled reach, consumer relationships and range of assets.? Pittman continued, ?Technology is the key to increasing our operating leverage because it allows us to speed up processes, streamline legacy systems, and enables us to take another significant step in our modernization journey. We have flattened our organization, eliminated redundancies and broken down silos, which will have a major impact on costs, expected to generate $200 million of annual savings in 2025 compared to 2024, and benefiting full year 2025 Adjusted EBITDA by $150 million on a year over year basis.? The company’s earnings report showed. Q3 2024 Consolidated Results Q3 Revenue of $1,008 million, up 5.8%; within guidance of up mid-single digits Excluding Q3 Political Revenue, Q3 Revenue up 2.0% GAAP Operating income of $77 million vs. $69 million in Q3 2023 Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA of $205 million, within previously disclosed guidance range of $200 million to $220 million, compared to $204 million in Q3 2023 Cash provided by operating activities of $103 million Free Cash Flow of $73 million Cash balance and total available liquidity 2 of $432 million and $858 million, respectively, as of September 30, 2024 Q3 2024 Digital Audio Group Results Digital Audio Group Revenue of $301 million up 13% Podcast Revenue of $114 million up 11% Digital Revenue excluding Podcast of $187 million up 14% Segment Adjusted EBITDA of $100 million up 7% Digital Audio Group Adjusted EBITDA margin of 33.2% Q3 2024 Multiplatform Group Results Multiplatform Group Revenue of $620 million down 1% Excluding Multiplatform Group Q3 Political Revenue, Multiplatform Group Q3 Revenue down 3% Segment Adjusted EBITDA of $130 million down 20% Multiplatform Group Adjusted EBITDA margin of 21.0% Guidance Q4 Consolidated Revenue expected to increase in the high-single digits Full Year 2024 Consolidated Revenue expected to increase in the mid-single digits Q4 Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA 3 expected to be approximately $290 million, up approximately 39% Full Year 2024 Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA 3 expected to be approximately $750 million, up approximately 8% Full Year 2025 Consolidated Revenue expected to be approximately flat in a non-political year Full Year 2025 Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA 3 expected to be approximately $770 million, up approximately 3% in a non-political year Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP served as counsel and PJT Partners served as financial advisor to the Company. Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP served as counsel and Perella Weinberg Partners served as financial advisor to an ad hoc group of certain of the Initial Supporting Holders. more

From Radio Insight: Cox Media Group Hot AC “Hits 105.3” KSMG Seguin/San Antonio has cut ties with morning hosts Jenny Lee and Tony Cortez. Lee, who also served as APD/MD, had been with KSMG since 2013 spending four months in afternoons before moving to mornings. The Wisconsin native previously worked at Mid-West Family Broadcasting Madison as a producer and host and then spent two years hosting nights at iHeartMedia CHR “Z104” WZEE. Cortez has spent the majority of his career in San Antonio with time at CHR ?Mix 96.1? KXXM and Tejano 107.5 KXTN-FM before a seven year run as APD/afternoon host at Alpha Media CHR “Energy 94.1” KTFM from 2011-18. He joined KSMG in May 2019 as evening host before moving up to afternoons and then hosting mornings with Lee since December 2020 through its rebranding from “Magic 105.3” to “Hits 105.3” last December. He has also worked at KHFI-FM Austin. KSMG became the defacto CHR in the San Antonio market last week following iHeartMedia’s flip of “96.1 Now” KXXM to Bilingual AC “Mix 96.1“. Interestingly, KSMG made a public post acknowledging their exit from the station: more

From Radio Insight: Joel Denver and Seth Resler are launching a bi-weekly virtual event for radio professionals. The Radio Rendezvous will debut on Wednesday, December 4 at 1pm ET/10am PT with guests “103.5 Kiss-FM” WKSC-FM Chicago morning host Fred and iHeartMedia Chicago SVP/Programming James Howard. The events will feature five questions from the hosts followed by all viewers to connect directly with them or mingle with other broadcasters in real-time for an hour. Radio Rendezvous will return in 2025 on the second and fourth Thursday of every month. more